Michigan

Cornerback Chris Greenwood possess tantalizing potential, but he needs to show he can stay on the field and convert that potential into production if he wants to make the Detroit Lions roster.
(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

What was once a competition for a single job appears to now be a battle for two openings.

Four cornerbacks are all but locks for the Detroit Lions' roster. Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis are the projected starters, while third-year pro Bill Bentley will compete with rookie Nevin Lawson for the nickel job.

After the release of Chris Houston last month, it leaves two reserve openings. The primary contenders for the jobs are Jonte Green, Chris Greenwood and free-agent addition Cassius Vaughn.

Both Green and Greenwood were late-round draft picks for the Lions in 2012.

Green, the team's sixth-round choice that year, was pressed into action as rookie, appearing in 15 games and starting five for an injury-depleted secondary. He held his own and showed steady improvement over the course of the campaign, but found himself buried on the depth chart last season, not seeing meaningful playing time until injuries once again cleared a path for two starts late in the year.

Greenwood's road has been more trying. He missed his rookie season with an abdominal injury, then failed to make the 53-man roster out of training camp last year.

Poached off Detroit's practice squad, Greenwood spent three weeks in Dallas, although he didn't see any game action with the Cowboys. He was re-signed to the Lions' practice squad and promoted to the main roster in December, seeing quality playing time in the final two games of the season.

Vaughn, an undrafted free agent in 2010, has split his four years in the NFL between Indianapolis and Denver. The 26-year old has 54 games of experience under his belt, including 18 starts. In the past two years with the Colts, he's tallied 96 tackles, 15 pass defenses and four interceptions.

All three possess good straight-line speed, running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds or faster coming out of college. Greenwood posted the fastest time of the trio. He also possesses the best frame, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing nearly 200 pounds, but he's also had the most difficulty staying on the field.

Even though the players are close to the same age, Vaughn brings energy and natural leadership to the practice field, while Greenwood and Green are both reserved players.

That passion, along with his experience, would seem to give Vaughn an early edge in the competition. A strong showing in the early portions of the offseason program has strengthened that argument.

Between Green and Greenwood, Greenwood's ceiling is higher, but it boils down to the coaching staff's belief he can put his injury woes behind him.

It's also possible the Lions will add another veteran corner during camp. They've already kicked the tires on former second-round pick Terrell Thomas twice this offseason.

Detroit did well bringing Mathis aboard following the team's second preseason game last season, a move that continues to pay dividends.